Did you know light is very colorful? Have you ever seen what happens when you shine light through a prism? You will see a rainbow. The colors light is comprised of in order is: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Before violet comes ultraviolet which is invisible to the human eye, and after red comes infrared which is also invisible. Each light color has a specific frequency in which the photons oscillate. Ultraviolet has the highest frequency, so generally emits the most energetic photons. Infrared on the opposite end of the spectrum is the lowest light frequency and emits less energetic photons, but more heat.
What is interesting is observing the effects of different light frequencies on biology. During the course of a day, from sunrise to sunset, light frequencies from the sun vary, as does color temperature and intensity. During sunrise and sunset, we see mostly low frequency red light, and by mid morning, typically we see a spike in blue light which is more energetic. This light triggers consciousness by stimulating the SCN in the eye and shuts off melatonin production in favor of a large cortisol spike to mobilize us as we wake up. Blue light is a signal that it is daytime, the active period within a 24 hour day.
Ultraviolet light (UV) is present by mid to late morning, and peaks around noon. UVA is the light frequency that generates the DC electric current when it is absorbed by humans, and cell membranes convert this light frequency into electricity. UVB is the light frequency that penetrates only the surface of our skin, that triggers the synthesis of Cholesterol and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is the precursor to all the steroid hormones, as well as a precursor to bile salts to aid in digestion. Vitamin D acts as a hormone that modulates metabolism, the immune system, and increases calcium absorption, etc.
Red and infrared light increase ATP production in the mitochondria of cells. ATP is the cell's chemical energy that is used to regenerate. As mentioned, sunrise and sunset contain mostly red with low levels of blue, thus inducing relaxation before melatonin starts to rise upon darkness.
The circadian rhythms and clocks of humans have become synchronized to the 24 hour sunrise/sunset cycle over the course of millions of years of evolution. Nothing can compete with or replace the sun for facilitating our biological processes. It is nearly impossible to completely simulate a 24 hour light cycle of the sun.
Unfortunately in this present era we are burying the sun and replacing it with artificial, energy efficient lighting that emits very high spikes in the blue light range. This lighting allows us to see after sunset or before sunrise so we can extend our days to accomplish the tasks we weren't able to during the active period of the day. When you understand how the day/night cycles yoke to human circadian rhythms, you will soon begin to see why blue light is problematic. As mentioned, it sends a signal of eternal day, which slows down our central clock, while speeding up peripheral clocks, making each and every system in our body work harder leading to an imbalance of degeneration and regeneration. As long as blue light is shining in our lives, melatonin production is blunted, and we lose DHA in our cell membranes leading to inflammation, and a lack of DC electric current (which by the way humans use to regenerate).
Here's a useful tip for anyone who experiences sleep issues, or is naturally wired at night, and groggy in the early morning. Replace your household bulbs with old-school incandescent bulbs. If you compare the light spectrum they emit to fluorescent or LED, you will see a much higher spike in red and infrared, and much less in blue. Red is the antidote to blue on the light spectrum. Additionally, pick up a few red "party" lights and put them in bathrooms, bedrooms, or any other areas you would require some lighting to see at night. Red is the least disruption light frequency to melatonin. It simulates the sky of a sunset which should induce relaxation and put you to sleep within a few hours. Red lights are your friend at night, in addition to wearing orange-tinted glasses with blue-blocking lenses. On the contrary, during day, get as much natural sunlight on your face and skin as you possibly can. You want to be exposed to bright light during the day, and sunlight is your best bet. The more light you can absorb during the day, the higher your melatonin levels will spike at night, and the more power you will have to regenerate in your sleep.
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